I’ve been thinking a lot of about economy problems lately – economy problems in MMORPGs, that is. It’s a confluence of discussions, really: my gnawing belief that stagflation is hurting Star Wars Galaxies Legends, combined with Justin’s rant about the state of LOTRO’s economy, combined with prices falling in City of Heroes Homecoming as the spike of new players has calmed down. Through all of my MMOs, my “constant” has been to focus on consumables, at least in MMOs without decay, which is most of them nowadays. Consumables sell, eventually, even when nothing else does, even when the economy is a mess.
Of course, what counts as a consumable – and whether people actually consume the consumables they buy – is another story. They can be everything from crafting mats and bandages to potions and food to one-use skins and dyes to bombs and batteries – and in some games, even mounts. Hell, in Project Gorgon, my monk uses consumable meditation stools.
What’s your most-used consumable in MMORPGs? Do any MMOs out there prompt anomalous consumables use?
Every morning, the Massively Overpowered writers team up with mascot Mo to ask MMORPG players pointed questions about the massively multiplayer online roleplaying genre. Grab a mug of your preferred beverage and take a stab at answering the question posed in today’s Daily Grind!
